Description
Immersion has been a key theme in a range of digital processes that shape international society. Virtual Reality, as the ‘thick’ end of immersion, portends a pathway towards the ultimate digitally mediated experiences of social life, entertainment, philanthropy and education. A central application for the technology, both historically and in projected futures, is in the immersion of military personal in real, or virtual battle spaces. This paper sets out to establish a contemporary operationalisation of the term ‘virtualisation’ in practical terms, to understand a process through which digital tools with an immersive interface continue to be mainstreamed. It will specifically consider these applications in militarism by developing an understanding of the driving factors behind the continued development and deployment of immersive tools, focusing on the dynamic between corporate tech giants and defence institutions.
